Fogg to sell Cassatt work at Christie's

Bostonist was a little slow picking up on this story but word on the street is that the Fogg Museum (one of the Harvard University Art Museums) will be selling Mary Cassatt's "Mother and Two Children" at Christie's auction house for a reported $5 million (early estimate).

The piece was given to the Fogg by Ernest Stillman, Harvard Alum '07, in the 1920s and has since rarely been on display. The Boston Globe reported that, "After having it cleaned, [Theodore Stebbins, Director] installed it in a gallery in 2003 but ultimately decided the money the museum could get from its sale ''could be better used elsewhere." He suggested selling it, a recommendation endorsed by Harvard museum officials and the university's corporation. The work will be offered in a sale at Christie's titled ''Important American Paintings, Drawings and Sculpture.""

For art lovers like Bostonist, this seems almost sacrilegious; however, we also see the purpose in selling the work in order to use the money for things that may be more readily enjoyed by the greater Boston area. Perhaps the MFA will purchase it (although it would seem that money will mostly be directed toward the capital build that just broke ground).

UPDATE: We are not the only ones who think the selling of this Cassatt may be a bit wrong, check it.